Boko Haram Ambush in Borno: CJTF Member Killed, Six Vehicles Burned

Tension gripped Borno State on Friday as suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly ambush on motorists traveling along the Pulka-Kirawa road in Gwoza Local Government Area, leaving one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) dead, several passengers injured, and at least six vehicles set ablaze.

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The attack, which occurred around 3:00 p.m., sent shockwaves across the troubled border communities already reeling from persistent terrorist incursions.

Details of the Attack

According to eyewitness accounts, the convoy of motorists was being escorted by a handful of CJTF members due to the absence of military protection in the volatile corridor. The attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the vehicles, forcing several passengers to flee into nearby bushes for safety.

In the ensuing chaos, one CJTF operative (identity withheld) was fatally shot while others sustained injuries. Six vehicles, including two Volkswagen Golf cars, a passenger bus, and three trucks laden with food items and personal belongings were completely destroyed by fire set by the insurgents.

Many victims remain unaccounted for, heightening fears among families and community members awaiting news of their loved ones.

Senator Ndume Condemns Attack

Reacting to the incident, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South at the National Assembly, strongly condemned the ambush and expressed grief over the loss of the CJTF member.

“It is very disheartening that I received a distress call that some armed Boko Haram terrorists laid ambush on motorists and passengers along the Kirawa–Pulka road yesterday,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker lamented that since the deadly attack on a Cameroonian military base in Kirawa last month which led to the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops, there has been no substantial military presence in the area. This vacuum, he noted, has left residents at the mercy of insurgents.

Ndume warned that the absence of Nigerian troops in Kirawa and other border communities has emboldened Boko Haram fighters to carry out repeated assaults, overwhelming local vigilantes, hunters, and CJTF members who struggle daily to defend their communities with limited resources.

“The only few resilient hunters, vigilantes, and men of the Civilian Joint Task Force are always overwhelmed in safeguarding the area,” he stressed.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigerian soldiers battling insurgents in other theatres, Ndume urged immediate deployment of at least a platoon of troops to Kirawa to protect lives and property.

Call for Urgent Military Action

The senator extended condolences to the bereaved family of the slain CJTF member and called for prayers for the safe return of those missing.

“May his soul rest in peace as we pray for the injured ones’ quick recovery and safety of those still missing,” Ndume said.

He emphasized that the Kirawa corridor, being a strategic route bordering Cameroon, must not be left unprotected.

RoadKing.ng Analysis

The Pulka-Kirawa road has long been a hotspot for ambushes due to its proximity to the Cameroon border and the rugged terrain that insurgents exploit to stage surprise attacks. The latest incident underscores the fragile security situation in Borno’s border towns and the urgent need for coordinated regional security operations.

Without immediate intervention, transportation along this road risks further disruption, with humanitarian consequences for already vulnerable populations who rely on the route for trade, food supply, and access to essential services.